December 2, 2010

Kopp Disclosure
(John 3:19-21)

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Churchgoers are really good at saying the world can get along much better through Jesus.

Problem.

It's hard to tell them how to get along much better through Jesus if we can't get along much better through Jesus.

Maybe if people who hang out in churches would exemplify all of that reconciling rhetoric that they're so famous for not exemplifying, the world would pay more attention to 'em.

Nobody knows 'cause it ain't been tried.

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Staying with signs of the apocalypse, the new date is May 21, 2011.

This is the end, my only friend, the end...

That's what Harold Camping, founder of Family Radio, predicts.

It's the advenio theme: Jesus came as the Babe of Bethlehem, continues to come into our lives as the Holy Spirit, and will come again to usher in His eternal reign.

Here comes the Judge!

Camping and company are so convinced the big day is coming on Armed Forces Day - Is that coincidental or providential? - that billboards blaring out the bad/good news (depending upon whose side you're on) are popping up all around the country.

While the Bible says that day is coming but nobody knows when for sure except God, I guess Harold must be really, really, really tight with...

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Speaking of Advent, two more, uh, Advent meditations caught my attention.

From my favorite devotional writer in Oklahoma: "The Christmas season is now upon us and many are already succumbing to the pressures and demands put on us by a greedy, needy society. Funny, isn't it, how most of us celebrate Christmas, but get so easily distracted from the real meaning...Hollywood style picture-perfect fake projections and unrealistic expectations will zap every ounce of the true meaning of Christmas from us if given the chance...We love the beautiful gifts wrapped prettily with ribbons and bows that are beautifully placed under our tree, but the best present ever given came wrapped in swaddling clothes and placed in a manger. We needed a Savior. God sent One! Sinful souls needed redemption. Jesus answered the call! Judgment needed mercy. The Lamb of God stepped in! We needed a bridge. The cross closed the gap! The destitute needed hope and the blind needed light. The Son of God met the need!...Have you received His gifts?...Embrace the real Spirit of Christmas - Jesus Christ!"

From my favorite seminarian in Pennsylvania: "We have heard the phrase 'regime change' a lot...What would it mean for us to let Jesus come and lead a regime change in our hearts?..."For to us a child is born...and the government will be on his shoulders"...These ancient words...promise us that a child will come and the government will be upon His shoulders. The leaders of the world have shown themselves to be incompetent. War, famine, and poverty are epidemic...What would happen if the governments of the world said we can't handle this on our own anymore, here You take the reins? That is a regime change to be urgently prayed for...There is strife within and among the different churches. Sometimes we can't even get along with our children or our spouses. We act like we are the government of our lives...God wants to start changing the world by changing us...This too is a regime change to be earnestly prayed for...Yes, this old world needs a regime change right now. That change I believe starts on our knees...During this Advent season, let us take a few moments to examine our hearts and see who is really in control...If we need a regime change, go ahead and make it!"

Selah.

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Getting back to the end of the world, it's been predicted before without...uh, well, geez, sigh...and we're still here!

Camping has done this before; like back in 1994...and we're still here!

Actually, May 21, 2011 isn't the actual date of the eschaton.

Camping has picked this date as when the good guys are raptured to the express lane into paradise while the leftovers get ready for really, really, really apocalyptic adventures Book of Revelation style.

Help us, Jesus!

Psst.

If you're a believer, He will!

Anyway, Camping has done some funky calculations and...

I can't get into it.

I prefer the punchline.

God wins in the end; which is the best news for people who are into God!

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One way or the other, with or without deference to Harold and guys/gals like him, God's gonna put an end to what we've messed up since showing up shortly after the beginning.

And from everything that I've ever read in the Bible but not necessarily books about the Bible - hint - God's final advenio will be even better than the first or continuing ones.

I've always liked how Eugene Peterson put it, "The sooner we get the message, the better off we'll be, for the message is good, incredibly good: God is here, and He's on our side."

Moretheless, come, Lord Jesus!

We could use some final resolution/reconciliation.

God knows we've, uh, left behind reconciling resolutions/realities in our rhetoric.

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Blessings and Love!